Lost Passport Process for Indians: Step-by-Step Guide

Lost passport process for Indians: A revolutionised & tech-driven affair

Let’s Begin! You’ve just received your bonus, and it is finally time to go on that international trip you and the squad have been discussing for years. You excitedly make calls, plan itineraries, and look up the visa process to your destination. Everything seems set; you only have to wait for everyone to set dates. BUT WAIT! One of your friends calls you and says, “I can’t find my passport. I’ve lost it”. All the excitement and the good vibes just disappear in a flash. Determined to make this trip finally happen, you’ve started looking up the lost passport process for Indian passports to find out what to do if passport is lost so you have a chance of getting everyone on board with the travel plans.

A passport is an essential means of identification, without which international travel is downright impossible. Remember the Tom Hanks movie “The Terminal”, where the main character had to live in an airport for almost 20 years because he did not have a valid passport? Losing a passport could happen to anyone. Don’t worry, though. The process to replace lost passports is much better than before since it has become relatively common.

What does it mean to lose a passport?

A passport is an international identifier of your citizenship and the only acceptable identification that allows you to travel internationally. Whether you’re planning on going abroad for work, education, medical reasons, or just plain tourism, you won’t be able to move ahead without your passport.

What is the procedure for lost passports? You must apply for a re-issue before travelling internationally if you’ve lost your passport. If the lost passport process takes too long, you may be forced to miss important events, lose job opportunities, and even money spent on tickets and other bookings you may have made.

Thankfully, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps prescribed by the Ministry for External Affairs for the process to replace lost passports. You can have a new one in weeks, pending documents and police verification. Rest assured, we’ll take you through the lost passport process in detail.

Step 1: How to report a lost passport

What to do if your passport is lost? Your first destination in the quest for a new passport will be your local police station.

Visit local police station

• Head to your local police station immediately.
• File an official complaint and obtain an FIR (First Information Report).

Essential document for renewal

• The FIR is crucial for lost passport renewal.
• Passport office requires this official document for processing.

Co-operate with police

• Provide details of your case to the police.
• Co-operate until an official FIR stating the passport is lost or stolen is issued.

Different protocols in some countries

• Be aware that different countries may have varied protocols.
• You might need to visit multiple police stations or government offices for resolution.

Contact Indian Mission if needed

• If you are facing difficulties or confusion, contact the nearest Indian Mission.
• Inquire about the specific procedure for reporting a lost passport in your situation.

Keep a copy of FIR

• Retain a copy of the FIR for future reference.
• This document is vital for lost passport reporting and renewal.

Make photocopies

• Create photocopies of your passport.
• Note down the passport number for reference in future reissue applications.

Step 2: Applying for reissue of a lost passport

Here’s how to apply for a re-issue of a passport online with the Passport Seva portal.

Visit Passport Seva Portal

• Access the Passport Seva portal for lost passport renewal.

Fill form and pay fees

• Complete the online form and pay the required fees.
• Fees are INR 2,000 for a normal application and INR 4,000 for Tatkal (fast-tracked) processing.

Schedule appointment

• Schedule an appointment for lost passport renewal online.
• Alternatively, visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Re-issue process

• Understand that the term is “re-issue” as you will receive a new passport with a new number.
• Have passport details or any relevant photos or photocopies for the online renewal application.

Create Passport Seva Portal Account

• If not registered, create an account on the Passport Seva portal.
• Existing users can log in, and forgot password option is available if needed.

Apply online

• On the dashboard, click on “Apply for a fresh passport/re-issue of passport.”
• Choose between submitting the form online or downloading for offline filling and uploading.

Form details

• Enter personal details carefully, including name, family members’ names, address, and lost passport details.
• Verify all details before submission as changes are not allowed.

Payment options

• Pay the application fees online, even if submitting directly at the passport office.

Appointment confirmation

• Once the form is submitted and fees paid, book an appointment.
• Receive an Appointment Number/Application Reference Number (ARN) via SMS.

Proof of appointment

• Carry the SMS appointment confirmation as proof; no printed receipt is required.

Step 3: Your appointment at the Passport Office or PSK

Take all the original documents required for lost passport renewal with a few self-attested copies when you go to your appointment at the relevant Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO). Documents required for lost passport renewal

• Passport-sized photographs
• Police FIR
• Proof of identification and address - Aadhaar Card, Driving License, PAN card, Voter ID Card.
• Secondary address proof - Family Card, rental agreement, electricity bill, bank account passbooks, employer certificate on company letterhead
• Proof of Age - Birth certificate, life insurance policy, school leaving certificate

While submitting, all photocopies of proofs of identification, address, and age must be self-attested by the applicant or their legal guardian (for minors). The primary reason for visiting the Passport Office or PSK in the lost passport process is to verify your original documents and confirm your identity. You will also be required to submit your biometric details, including face mapping and fingerprints, for the process to replace lost passports.

You can locate the Passport Office or PSK nearest to you on the Government of India’s official passport website and contact them to find out more about what is the procedure for lost passports.

Step 4: Documents and police verification

Once you are at the passport office, you must wait until the staff calls you in. You will be asked to go in alone for your appointment at the Passport Office or PSK. Minors and senior citizens may be accompanied by their guardians.

The Passport Office or PSK personnel will verify your documents and sometimes ask you a few questions. Once the verification is complete, they will take in your biometric data (fingerprints, retina scans, and live photographs). Once the biometrics are successfully uploaded, the Passport Office or PSK portion of the lost passport process is complete. You will receive an SMS and/or email confirming the acceptance or rejection of your passport re-issue application.

What is the procedure for lost passport applications that have been rejected? If the application is rejected, reasons for rejection will be given, and you can submit a fresh application. If it is accepted, the next step in the lost passport process is to wait for police verification. A police officer from your neighbourhood police station will visit your registered address to check if you live there. They may ask you a few questions and verify your identity with your neighbours, but the most important thing is that you are present at your address when they visit.

Once the police verification is complete, your new passport will be delivered, and you can travel internationally again. For working professionals who cannot wait at home, to facilitate a smooth verification, make sure someone is present at your address to communicate the officer’s arrival. They can be informed that you are on the way and may wait for a short period or return later so that you can complete the verification. This is the last step in the lost passport process.

Know about the documents required for your Indian passport application.

Renewal vs. Reissue of Passport

Unfamiliar territory: What to do if passport is lost abroad?

For those who have lost their passport abroad, the process is similar. Here are the steps:

• Visit local police station: Report the lost passport at a local police station abroad.
• Obtain police report: Receive a police report detailing the loss, which is essential for further procedures.
• Visit the Indian Mission or High Commission: Take the police report to the nearest Indian Mission or High Commission in the country.
• Confirm nationality: Verify your nationality with the mission, providing the necessary identification.
• Emergency Certificate (EC): Receive an Emergency Certificate (EC) allowing your return to India.
• Passport Re-issue Abroad: Follow instructions from the Indian Mission or High Commission for a passport re-issue.
• Locate Indian Mission abroad: Visit the Ministry of External Affairs website for a list of Indian Missions abroad.
• Contact information: Obtain contact details and the address of the relevant mission for assistance.
• Financial assistance: If lacking funds for travel, seek assistance from the mission.

Tips for NRIs and travellers

• Local identification: Obtain identification in the country of residence to facilitate local travel.
• Use of state driving license: In the US, a state driving license allows domestic travel for non-citizens.
• Secure passport during travel: Safeguard your passport during travel, keeping it in a secure bag.
• Lock passport in hotel room: If left in the hotel room, ensure the passport is securely locked.
• Beware of pickpockets: Be cautious of pickpockets and avoid leaving passport bags in communal storage.
• Ensure passport safety: Take extra care to avoid the inconvenience of the lost passport process, especially during short trips.

Also read: How to Apply for Passport Online from India 

Wrapping up the process

Though losing your passport is an unfortunate situation to be in, the process is no longer linked with prolonged waits in government offices. Since the overhaul of passport support services in 2010, the procedures for renewal and obtaining a new passport have been significantly simplified. If you’ve got all the documents required for lost passport renewal, you can get a new passport reissued in as little as two weeks. Here’s what you need to do:

• Report the passport loss promptly to initiate the renewal process without delay.
• Gather all necessary documents for lost passport renewal, including the police FIR.
• Act swiftly with the right information and documents for a speedy passport reissue.
• Submit the reissue request with correct details for quick approval.
• Complete the police verification process to finalise the renewal.
• Once your request is approved, you just have to complete the police verification, and you’ll have a new passport faster than you could have imagined.